[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 160 (Thursday, September 27, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1318]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





         RECOGNIZING CHILDREN'S CARDIOMYOPATHY AWARENESS MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FRANK PALLONE, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 27, 2018

  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to encourage my colleagues to 
join me in supporting the Cardiomyopathy Health Education, Awareness, 
Risk Assessment and Training in the Schools (HEARTS) Act and in 
recognition of Children's Cardiomyopathy Awareness Month.
  Cardiomyopathy affects both children and adults and is a chronic and 
potentially life-threatening heart condition that affects how the heart 
pumps blood through the body. The disease presents differently in 
individuals, and it can be difficult to detect when there are no 
apparent symptoms. For those not diagnosed, the consequences can be 
devastating. Research has shown that cardiomyopathy is a leading cause 
of sudden cardiac arrest.
  All too often, we hear of an adult or child collapsing unexpectedly 
due to an undiagnosed heart condition. The Cardiomyopathy HEARTS Act 
will help educate affected individuals and their families, as well as 
school and health professionals about cardiomyopathy and encourage 
families to evaluate their family's cardiac history, check for 
cardiomyopathy symptoms, and seek medical screening if necessary.
  Despite the severity of the cardiomyopathy, little is known about the 
prevalence, causes, and reasons for its variability. The Cardiomyopathy 
HEARTS Act also addresses this by requesting the National Institutes of 
Health (NIH) to evaluate current research initiatives on cardiomyopathy 
and direct the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to 
collect and analyze national data to identify the impact, prevalence, 
and natural history of cardiomyopathy.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this bill and helping 
the many families and children who are touched by this under-recognized 
condition.
  And now is a great time to show our support. September is Children's 
Cardiomyopathy Awareness, to help raise the profile and spread 
information about this terrible disease. By encouraging individuals to 
know one's family's history and heart health, and discussing it with 
their doctor, can help determine whether one's child is at risk.
  The Children's Cardiomyopathy Foundation, based in my home state of 
New Jersey, is the leading nonprofit in providing resources and support 
to families and children struggling with this terrible disease. They 
also work to raise awareness, along with their grassroots network of 
families and advocate for research and policies to help those suffering 
from pediatric cardiomyopathy.
  It is my pleasure to help raise awareness for the Foundation and for 
pediatric cardiomyopathy.

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